cooking travel tips

Check out local groceries, farmers markets and mini-marts to see what foods are available and in season.

Take advantage of supermarket salad bars – get just what you need to avoid overbuying waste.

Look for individual-sized salad dressing packets at the salad bar. Pick up a few for salads and sandwiches, or to use as a marinade.

For a handy measuring cup, Extended Stay America provides measurement calibrations on each paper coffee cup, available at our Grab-and-Go breakfast bar. Just pick one up each morning, or ask a hotel associate.

1 teaspoon is approximately the size of soda bottle cap.

Bring along small packets of salt and pepper (or other favorite seasonings), so you won’t have to purchase a large amount.

Zip-top bags come in handing for storing leftovers, marinating chicken, or fish. Bring some with you, or remember to add them to your shopping list.

When eating out, think about what you may be able to use in your next meal. A leftover chicken breast can be cut up on a salad or tossed in a stir fry.

Save soy sauce, teriyaki sauce and sweet and sour cream from Chinese take-out orders – great for making an extra-tasty sandwich or stir-fry.

Pick up a mini-veggie tray as a snack and to use as your vegetable supply. It will last several days to a week.

Take advantage of individual-size containers of items such as hummus, applesauce, fruit cups, and peanut butter. You can use them in recipes or as a snack in-between meals.